Scott M. Seaman

Scott Seaman is a commercial litigator and trial lawyer who has focused his practice in business litigation and insurance services for nearly three decades, with particular emphasis on representing insurers and reinsurers in complex insurance coverage disputes and reinsurance cessions. Mr. Seaman has a long track record of successfully representing companies before trial courts, appellate courts, and arbitration panels across the country in a variety of high stakes matters, including cases and cessions involving general liability coverage (primary, umbrella and excess), professional liability coverage, first-party property coverage, bad faith and extra-contractual matters, fee disputes and facultative and treaty reinsurance contracts. He has served as national coverage counsel, as well as trial and appellate counsel.

Mr. Seaman also advises companies on emerging issues and a wide range of case-specific and portfolio issues. He has drafted contract language, trained insurance and reinsurance professionals, and assisted companies in evaluating and resolving issues in the claims and cession stages. Mr. Seaman also handles international, professional liability, tort and product liability, and business and commercial matters.

According to Chambers USA:

"Scott Seaman has the 'uncanny ability to make the complex understandable,' according to commentators, who point to his superb knowledge in the insurance space. He is highly respected for his robust insurance and reinsurance litigation practice, with sources particularly highlighting that 'he's the expert when it comes to excess and umbrella policies.'" (2016)

"'Superior trial lawyer' Scott Seaman is experienced in all forms of insurance dispute. According to clients, 'he is a straight shooter who is experienced and knows the issues. We like the results that he gets us.'" (2015)

"Scott Seaman is well respected for his longtime experience as a litigator, and he has notable expertise in complex insurance and reinsurance coverage cases. He is also an expert in bad faith insurance matters. Sources describe him as a 'terrific lawyer' and as someone who has the respect of the market." (2014)

"Scott Seaman is respected for his expertise in bad faith and reinsurance matters as well as complex insurance coverage cases. He has recently been involved in a series of significant litigation matters and reinsurance arbitrations." (2013)

"Department head Scott Seaman has a fine reputation among clients and peers alike as 'a leading expert in complex insurance coverage issues.' He splits his practice between coverage litigation and reinsurance arbitration work, and earns particular praise from clients for his expertise in asbestos and environmental coverage issues." (2012)

"Scott Seaman is an eminent coverage lawyer with extensive experience in insurance and reinsurance, and besides practicing he writes prolifically on both topics." (2011)

Professional Background

Mr. Seaman Co-Chair of the firm's National Insurance Services Practice Group. He also serves on the firm's Executive Committee. Prior to joining Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Mr. Seaman was a partner in a litigation firm headquartered in Chicago, where he served as chairman of that firm's national insurance coverage litigation and counseling practice. He began his legal career at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom and was a member of that firm's national products liability and insurance coverage practice group.

Mr. Seaman graduated first in his law school class and was a recipient of the Illinois Lawyers Auxiliary Scholarship, the Loyola Leadership and Service Award, the Chief Justice Roger B. Taney Award, the Judge John C. Hayes Award, the Thomas L. Owens Award, and the Judge John V. McCormack Award.

2014–2016 Insurance Attorney of the Year in Illinois, Corporate Int'l Magazine

Illinois Lawyer of the Year 2014 and 2013 – Litigation, Corporate LiveWire

The International Who's Who of Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers

America's Most Honored Professionals

Chambers USA

Insurance Law – Lawyer of the Year (Illinois), 2013 Corporate INTL Legal Awards

Leading Lawyers Award (Insurance and Reinsurance North America), Lawyers World, 2012 and 2013

ICFM Leading Lawyers 500

Illinois Super Lawyers (insurance coverage, general litigation, and business litigation)

2015 Premier 500, Lawyers World

2014–2016 Insurance Attorney of the Year in Illinois, Global Law Expert Practice Awards

Representative Matters

Mr. Seaman has been involved in many high profile insurance coverage cases and also has been counsel in significant confidential reinsurance arbitrations. A selection of his representative matters includes:

An asbestos reinsurance case resulting in a landmark allocation ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

An asbestos and environmental coverage action resulting in a key number of occurrences ruling by New York's highest court.

A Delaware Supreme Court decision enforcing tobacco exclusions.

Multiple non-products coverage and asbestos bankruptcy matters.

A Florida appellate court decision affirming a ruling that defective construction is not an "occurrence"

A reversal of an $11 million bad faith/punitive damages verdict in California.

An Illinois environmental coverage action resulting in a favorable late notice ruling and a Supreme Court decision finding that insurers' due process rights were violated.

Rights and obligations in connection with a multi-billion dollar reinsurance pooling arrangement.

Presentations

Mr. Seaman has been quoted in numerous publications ranging from The Wall Street Journal, to Crain's Chicago Business, to Law360, to Carrier Management. Mr. Seaman is a sought after speaker on insurance, reinsurance, business law and litigation issues. He has chaired and co-chair conferences for and has presented to and on behalf of many organizations, including: the American Bar Association, the DRI, the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, ARIAS US, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Asociation, PLRB/LIRB, Lorman Education Services, the Bermuda Bar Association, Strafford, Perrin, the Claims Litigation Management Alliance, the American Conference Institute, and West Legalworks. He is the host of Hinshaw's Insurance Law Radio.

Publications

Mr. Seaman writes extensively on substantive legal issues, and insurance and reinsurance topics, as well as litigation practice matters. His writings have been recognized by courts, parties and commentators, and they have been cited by the highest courts in Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, South Carolina and West Virginia, and by other state and federal appellate and trial courts across the country. A selection of his publications includes: